Hugh Hefner movie 'on hold' after Brett Ratner allegations

By

Ray Downs

Director Brett Ratner speaks with reporters following an unveiling ceremony honoring him with the 2,599th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on January 19. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Kristina Shannon, Hugh Hefner and Karissa Shannon (L-R) arrive for the MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute to Paul McCartney on February 10, 2012. A movie based on Hefner's life directed by Brett Ratner has been put on hold Wednesday following allegations of sexual harassment against Ratner. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Director Brett Ratner said Jared Leto, pictured here, would play Hugh Hefner in a biopic about the Playboy founder, but reps for Leto denied the plans. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/ UPI | License Photo

Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Playboy Enterprises has halted plans for a biopic of Hugh Hefner after sexual allegations against Brett Ratner, who was planning to direct.

"We are deeply troubled to learn about the accusations against Brett Ratner," a spokesman for Playboy Enterprises told the Los Angeles Times. "We find this kind of behavior completely unacceptable. We are putting all further development of our projects with RatPac Entertainment on hold until we are able to review the situation further."

Earlier reports -- based on comments by Ratner himself -- said that Jared Leto had been tapped to play Hefner in the film, but representatives for the actor told Deadline that was never official.

"Jared Leto is not and was not attached to a Brett Ratner-directed Hugh Hefner film, nor will he be working with him in the future," the rep said. "Earlier reports were incorrect and not confirmed by his representatives."